Bishop wished a happy retirement

The regular meeting of the Wayne County Commissioners was overwhelmingly full of well-wishers to beloved Wayne County Employment and the Pennsylvania CareerLink employee Jack Bishop.

By Melissa Leetmleet@wayneindependent.com

- The regular meeting of the Wayne County Commissioners was overwhelmingly full of well-wishers to beloved Wayne County Employment and the Pennsylvania CareerLink employee Jack Bishop.

Bishop "was employed with by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry...and outreach activities for 12 years," the certificate of recognition and distinguished service stated. Prior to working for the county, Bishop said he was "a school teacher for 31 years," which included time spent in the Wayne Highlands School District as a special education teacher with NEIU #19 and as principal of the Lourdesmont School for Children.

Marie McDonnell, director of Wayne County Employment and Training, said that she "wishes Bishop the best," and thanked him "for all of the great work he has done," for the community.

During his time at CareerLink, Bishop acted as a representative for veterans in both Wayne and Pike counties.

Director of Veterans Affairs Tom McDonnell said he served with the 101st Airborne in 1968 during the Vietnam War.

The 101st Airborne, or "Screaming Eagles," were deployed in the northern I Corps region of Vietnam and fought against the Vietnam People's Army. The 101st "was heavily involved in the push back against the Vietnamese soldiers," McDonnell said.

Bishop said that he was "choked up" at the kind words shared from his colleagues. "I can't say enough, thank you."

State funding reduction

The commissioners also commented on the funding cut to the Medical Assistance Transportation Program run by the county.

The program received a total of $742,533 for the 2013-14 fiscal year to run the program.

"This is around $130,000 less than what we received last year," said Chief Clerk Vicky Botjer.

The reason for the reduction in funding is the removal of funding for a partial waiver program. This means that certain riders who were previously qualified to use services are no longer eligible.

"When people ask what a 10 percent budget cut in Harrisburg does on the local level," Commissioner Wendell Kay said, "this is an example of what ends up happening."

Other business

• The roof replacement project was reviewed by County Engineer Steve Knash and was awarded to the low bidder, Whelan Properties, LLC, for the amount of $182,000.

The project will fix a section of roof location on the old courthouse.

• The elevator project received one bid from Grimm Construction in the amount of $482,481. After being reviewed by Knash, it was recommended to reject the bid and authorize to put the project back out to bid.